Thoracic Key

Step 1 Clinical Anatomy ♦ A thorough understanding of the key anatomic structures of the thoracic cavity, particularly the lungs, is essential for successful lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS). Step…

Step 1 Surgical Anatomy ♦ A resurgence in the surgical treatment of giant bullous emphysema has been due mainly to an increased understanding of the pathophysiology. Patients undergoing surgery have…

Step 1 Surgical Anatomy ♦ Functionally, the trachea principally serves as a conduit for ventilation. Anatomically, it presents several unique features that partially account for the difficulty in its surgical…

Step 1 Surgical Anatomy ♦ A Pancoast tumor is a lung cancer arising in the apex of the lung that involves structures of the apical chest wall. In contrast to…

Step 1 Surgical Anatomy ♦ A thorough understanding of normal pulmonary hilar and mediastinal anatomy from the thoracic inlet to the diaphragm, which may be significantly altered in the presence…

Step 1 Surgical Anatomy ♦ Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment for patients with early-stage lung cancer. ♦ Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an appropriate alternative for patients who either…

Sarot first described the technique of extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) for the treatment of tuberculous empyema in 1949. Since the late 1970s, EPP has been performed almost exclusively for malignant pleural…

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in the management of lung cancer was first described in the early 1990s. Recent studies have shown that major lung resection by VATS has low perioperative…

Surgeons began to develop an interest in preserving normal lung in an era when many parenchymal resections were done for tuberculosis (TB) or bronchiectasis and the complications and functional limitations…

Step 1 Surgical Anatomy ♦ Tracheal blood supply is segmental, requiring minimal circumferential dissection to reduce the risk of anastomotic strictures and dehiscence ( Fig. 7-1 ). Figure 7-1 ♦…